Some value functions for multicomponent isotope separation-application to a unit cost scale for uranium-235, 236, 238 mixtures

Technical Report · Tue Jul 19 04:00:00 EDT 1960

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4792946· OSTI ID:4792946

de la Garza, A.; Garrett, G. A.; Murphy, J. E.

A theoretical study is presented of multi-component isotope separation cascades. A theory is developed which leads to the multi-component analog of a two component ideal cascade. The multi-component analog is a matched abundance ratio cascade. Multi-component analogs are derived for value functions, separative work, and various relationships of importance in two component isotope separation cascade theory. The theory is applied specifically to the derivation of a multi-component cost formula which could be used to price U containing U/sup 236/. (This cost formula is derived merely as an illustration of the theory and no recognition or commitment on the part of the USAEC is implied.) The multi- component matched abundance ratio cascade does not minimize total cascade flow as does the two component ideal cascade. It is found, however, that for U isotope separation the total flow in the matched U/sup 235//U/sup 238/ abundance ratio cascade exceeds the minimum by an insignificant fraction for a wide range of U/ sup 236/ concentrations. (auth)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• NSA Number: NSA-16-010372
• OSTI ID: 4792946
• Report Number(s): K--1455
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CASCADES
ECONOMICS
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
URANIUM
URANIUM 235
URANIUM 236
URANIUM 238